In June 1972 a convoy of vehicles and equipment drove to a very specific location on the Murray River. Beneath the waters lay the wreck of the paddle steamer Alexander Arbuthnot in her watery grave. Helene Sutherland introduces her book The Salvage of the Alexander Arbuthnot.

Uncover the untold stories of a global icon, Dame Nellie Melba. A Toast to Melba shares rarely seen objects, photographs, and personal treasures from Coombe Yarra Valley, Arts Centre Melbourne and Yarra Ranges Regional Museum—brought together for the first time in this dynamic new exhibition.

Ready to rediscover the power of play? Join us for a 45-minute guided tour of A Toast to Melba, inspired by Dame Nellie Melba’s love of parties, practical jokes and nonsense.

Join expert guide Terry Ashton for a captivating walking tour around the State Library Victoria. Discover historic sites like Melbourne Hospital, Sniders and Abrahams warehouse, RMIT, Trades Hall, and the Old Melbourne Gaol, exploring the rich history of Melbourne’s early Jewish community.

Explore the significance of mechanics institutes to the heritage of Victoria, inside the Newport Mechanics' Hall. These Walls Speak Volumes : A History of Mechanics' Institutes in Victoria is an index of these institutions and their histories, including Newport, Williamstown and Spotswood.

Enjoy an informative walk with a local historian in beautiful South Carlton and take in the architecture and history.

Do you enjoy sketching? Do you like conveniently located, beautiful, historical homesteads? If so, come along and join fellow artists drawing the Willows Historical Park.

The mill is the last remaining building of the Albion Explosives Factory and still works, come and see how it was central to the production of blackpowder

Join us for an evening to celebrate Dame Nellie’s birthday, with foods named in her honour and music to match from the Melba Opera Trust artists. There will be performances by the Melba Artists during the course of the five course dinner.

Grab a tea or coffee, get comfy, and learn how to research your family history online at your own pace with the support of library staff. In this special Heritage Festival edition of Hobsons Bay Libraries' weekly Tea, Tech and Training series.

Join award winning podcaster and musician Simon Reich as he shares stories of post war migrants via video, archival footage, photo montages, soundscapes and live music.

Our 100-year-old bakery retains its ovens and houses exhibitions of local historical photos and items of interest.

Come and take free guided tour of Greater Dandenong’s Civic & Cultural Heritage Collection Store

An exploration of the quackery of nineteenth- century travelling showman Frank Weston through magic, song and history.

To celebrate the We Built this City heritage interpretation project, the community can now view all project material alongside Council’s heritage collections.

Take a guided walk through 168 years of High Street, Yackandandah

Dreamtime, squatters, selectors, diggers, and townsfolk, Woodend and its surrounds has a rich history. Come, we welcome you to a heritage feast.

Step beyond the exhibits and uncover hidden history with an exclusive tour of the Bendigo Military Museum, featuring rare access to the heritage-listed honour boards and the breathtaking band rotunda with panoramic views of Bendigo’s stunning streetscape!

Join Bendigo and world-renowned pipe organist on a tour of Sacred Heart Cathedral, Forest St Uniting & St Pauls Cathedral. Hear their beauty and stories.

Dig in to a delicious hot soup lunch as Buda’s Curators unearth the life and gardens of Goldfields legend, Ernest Leviny, plus in-House exhibition that continues throughout the Heritage Festival.

The rally never fails to impress with the collection of home and visitor exhibits. Lake Goldsmith Steam Rally is unique on the Australian Rally scene in that it has permanent sheds owned by club members which house their heritage equipment and wares.